BBC radio couple Tony and Julie Wadsworth to face sex offence trial next year

Two BBC radio presenters charged with a series of sex offences against boys in the 1990s are set to stand trial next year.

Married couple Tony and Julie Wadsworth, who have both worked for BBC Radio Leicester and Birmingham-based BBC WM, were charged by Warwickshire Police earlier this year.

Both broadcasters appeared in the dock at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday in what had been listed for plea hearing, but spoke only to confirm their names.

No formal pleas were entered at the 40-minute hearing, after an application by the Crown Prosecution Service's QC Miranda Moore.

Judge Andrew Lockhart QC set down a provisional trial date for May 15, 2017, but ordered the case to come back before the court for "further management hearing" on October 14, 2016, and then March 31, next year.

Earlier this year, Tony Wadsworth, 68, of Old Mill Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, appeared before magistrates charged with five counts of inciting a boy under the age of 16 to commit an act of gross indecency.

His wife, aged 59 and also of Old Mill Road, is facing seven counts of the same offence.

The allegations relate to offences said to have been committed between 1995 and 1999 in Warwickshire.

The couple also face a charge of outraging public decency "by behaving in an indecent manner" between January 1994 and January 1996.

Five of the charges against Tony Wadsworth allege that he incited boys "under the age of 16 to commit an act of gross indecency with yourself and another, namely Julie Wadsworth".

The charges against Mrs Wadsworth - who uses the surname Mayer on air - include five counts alleging that she incited boys to commit acts with herself and her husband.

The BBC confirmed in April that the charges do not relate to the presenters' positions with the corporation.

Concluding the hearing, Judge Lockhart granted bail on condition that the Wadsworths have "no unsupervised contact with anyone under 18" save family, and "stand down from charity work which may involve under-18s".

Addressing the defendants, he added: "I have set a time for trail on May 15, at this court."

He went on: "Otherwise, I adjourn your case and the next time you should be here is October 14."